For once, and for a book so pictorial, I found this pretty heavy going. It is what you'd expect, but at the same time not – the way it conveys how godlike the pharaohs and kings were, and how the gods themselves changed in prestige, power and respect over the millenniums is a bit of a plod; the way the myths were portrayed in statuary, then kind of written down, with asides to the Book of the Dead, etc, no different. Creation myths – what you'd expect to have at the outset – make up the third chapter.

I seldom struggle with Amber Books' output, but whether the approach, the writing style, or the fact I probably have received what I need on this subject from children's non-fiction over the years, meant this was a rarity from that house of a book I just didn't get on with. It is not as friendly to the casual, mildly interested browser as the bulk that I see from Amber is.

There are many reasons why one would approach a book like this. It is certainly an academic read. However, I really wanted to dig into the mythology and cultural customs of Egypt during the time periods of the Hebrew Old Testament. I was especially interested in Egyptian cosmology and their creation account, since I know it mirrors the Hebrew account in many ways.

Ancient Egyptian Myths is an engaging academic, yet quick exploration of Egypt's rich mythology. The chapters include the following topics:
Chapter 1: Myths in Sculpture, Signs, Symbols, and Script
Chapter 2: Pyramids, Palaces, Papyrus, and Paint
Chapter 3: Creation out of Chaos
Chapter 4: Gods and Myths in Earthly Life
Chapter 5: Priests, Priestesses, and Festivals for the Gods
Chapter 6: Trade, Invasion, Expansion, and Myth
Chapter 7: God and Myth after the Fall of Ancient Egypt
Appendix: Ancient Egypt's King List

I found this read to be quick and easy. Still, it was chock full of historical information and offered many similarities to the neighboring Babylonians and Hebrews' account of cosmology and creation. I was not able to read this on my Kindle, like I normally do with eARCs, so I read it on my computer through the NetGalley downloading program - Adobe Digital Editions. Because of this, I believe the pages were disoriented in sequence, causing me some confusion in the process. Other than that, it served its' purpose and I enjoyed it!

A special thank you to NetGalley, Catherine Chambers, and Amber Books Ltd for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVE EGYPT SO MUCH AND THIS BOOK HAS EVERYTHING A EGYPT LOVER LIKES. I RECOMMEND EVERYONE TO READ THIS BOOK ASAP.

Ancient Egyptian Myths is a fabulous introduction into the world of Ancient Egypt's religious and spiritual beliefs. The book is organised in a logical format, with thematic chapters. It also has a nice introduction that appropriately establishes the historical context and the complex and lasting chronology of Ancient Egyptian History. The book goes beyond just regurgitating individual myths, but attempts to contextualise them against the rich back drop of Ancient Egypts societal and cultural values, in a unique geographical landscape. It gives examples from the reigns of individual pharaohs on how they engaged with and interpreted myth and in turn paid homage to their gods (like looking at how Hatshepsut made a priority of connecting to Ma’at) and connected to their beliefs.

I liked how the book had a plethora of images, they were bright and colourful and incredibly relevant to the content of each page. I especially liked that they each had quite detailed labels attached to them, so I was able to better make connections between the images and the content I was reading. There was a great mix of photographs or artefacts (The statue of Tutankhamen with Amun was visually stunning!), buildings (the aerial shot of Karnak Temple for example was great in communicating the sheer size of the temple!) and artistic interpretations.

This book is informative, but easily accessible to all audiences regardless of their background knowledge on Ancient Egypt. It is a reasonable length, something that readers can engage with over time without being overwhelmed by something of excessive size. While I was provided with a digital version for reading, the format of the book with a mix of beautiful images and intriguing text would make for a great coffee table book, to refer back to and look over long after a first read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amber Books for providing me with a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.

A great read for any Egyptian and History lover:

I did find this to be quite full on and at times not as enjoyable, it is interesting but it takes a lot to get through this. I personally didn’t find it an easy read.

Catherine Chambers' "Ancient Egyptian Myths" is a captivating and comprehensive exploration of the rich tapestry of ancient Egyptian mythology. This book delves into the intricate world of the Egyptian gods, pharaohs, and the beliefs surrounding creation and the afterlife.
Chambers' writing is both informative and engaging, guiding readers through the complex pantheon of deities and the intricate narratives that shaped the ancient Egyptian worldview. The author skillfully weaves together the various myths and legends, providing a cohesive and accessible overview of this fascinating civilization.
One of the book's strengths lies in its balanced approach, presenting both the well-known and the lesser-known myths with equal attention. From the creation of the world to the legendary exploits of the gods, Chambers covers a wide range of topics, offering readers a deep understanding of the cultural and religious significance of these stories.
The book's structure is particularly noteworthy, with each chapter dedicated to a specific aspect of Egyptian mythology, such as the creation myths, the pantheon of gods and goddesses, the role of the pharaohs, and the beliefs surrounding the afterlife. This organization allows readers to easily navigate the content and delve deeper into the areas that most interest them.
Chambers' attention to detail is commendable, as she provides vivid descriptions of the gods and their associated symbols, as well as the intricate rituals and beliefs that were central to ancient Egyptian culture. The book is further enhanced by the inclusion of stunning illustrations, which bring the myths to life and help readers visualize the fantastical elements of these stories.
Overall, "Ancient Egyptian Myths" is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the rich and captivating world of ancient Egyptian mythology. Catherine Chambers has crafted a comprehensive and engaging resource that will appeal to both casual readers and scholars alike

Ancient Egyptian Myths - Gods and Pharaohs, Creation and the Afterlife by Catherine Chambers is absolutely intriguing and a wonderful insight to the people, politics and power struggles of ancient Egypt

The book is enjoyable because it conveys a lot of fascinating details but in a conversational way that is engaging and immersive. it is not just a description of Egyptian history, it also explores how the distinctive Egyptian methods of recording history and lifestyles became enmeshed in mythology and spiritualism that endures to present times. Absolutely fascinating and highly recommended

Thank you to Netgalley, Amber Books Ltd | Amber Books and the author Catherine Chambers for this fascinating ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

From origin tales to realms of the dead, this book unveils how myths permeated all aspects of Egyptian civilization—shaping beliefs, politics, arts, and even economic fortunes. The extraordinary pantheon of deities reflected the concerns of individual pharaohs and their people, evolving through time. The book is informative, beautifully illustrated, and easy to understand for readers interested in Egyptian myth.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Ancient Egyptian Myths by Catherine Chambers is a detailed guide to the gods and myths of Ancient Egyptian society. That was great about it was that it had the different eras listed in a handy timeline.

Though, one gripe I did have is that it was not available on Kindle. For all further releases, please have a link to Kindle.